My “shop” is a 70 year old dilapidated detached garage. To look at it from the outside, its ONLY saving grace is the lovely 80 foot walnut tree draped over it.

This time of year, no matter what kind of wood I’m working, walnuts make it dangerous.

Several times today I was either just finished or just about to start a cut on the tablesaw only to be scared right out of my socks by a resounding CRACK! on the roof followed by the obligatory bouncing sound and then the long slow roll as it runs down the remainder of the roof and finally the hollow bonk as it smacks into the side of my cargo trailer.

Earlier in the year I sometimes had to stop making sawdust long enough to change into a fresh t-shirt as it was completely soaked from the heat and humidity. Today it was more like needing to stop and change my shorts. :)

-- Last week I finally got my $*i# together. Unfortunately, it was in my shop, so I will probably never find it again.

9 replies so far

Thanks Jeff, I needed a good laugh. I have a similar issue when my wife comes home and hits the garage door opener while I’m working. It has a very noticeable unique pop. I especially hate it when I’m at the table saw or running any power cutting tool. She’s trying to remember to hit her horn before the garage door opener. Doesn’t always happen though.

You could just wear a real long T-shirt, then you would only have to take a shower and hose off the floor,or it might be easier to buy some of those “honey I crapped my pants” diapers for older people. If you list your exact location, you might find some midnight sawyers might visit you and eliminate the wonderfulwalnut tree. It would not be me because I live to far away, dagnabit.

Pff. I disconnected the garage door opener motor many years ago, after my youngest son left many kilobucks of tools exposed overnight, with the garage door rolled all the way up. We don’t park in the garage, of course. I have this tiny space amidst the storage cabinets.

My brothers shop is in the basement and he was shaken several times by someone walking in while a power tool covered tell door noise. He put a bell/chime on the door with a sign over it that states ring bell before entering so doesn’t inadvertently cut himself!

I think it would be hard to train the walnuts to ring a bell or even flash a light to warn you!

I have hickory trees. This year is a bountiful supply of nuts. It scares our poor dogs when they are napping on the deck and the nuts drop close to them. I hope it isn’t a black walnut. Those are huge husks.

I have hickory trees. This year is a bountiful supply of nuts. It scares our poor dogs when they are napping on the deck and the nuts drop close to them. I hope it isn t a black walnut. Those are huge husks.

BJ

- BJODay

They vary in size from a little bigger than golf ball to almost tennis ball size. This time of year I have to be really careful walking around. Very easy to twist an ankle with all those balls laying around the yard.

-- Last week I finally got my $*i# together. Unfortunately, it was in my shop, so I will probably never find it again.